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“There’s nothing going on” between the Red Sox and Royals regarding a possible trade for the Red Sox left-hander, a team source said Tuesday, responding to a Kansas City Star report that the Royals and Sox had discussed a deal in which the Sox would have received top outfield prospect Wil Myers in return.

The source hinted that the topic may have been broached; after losing 93 games last season, the Red Sox are open to discussing a wide range of trade possibilities, and teams generally ask about most players in which they have even a modicum of interest.

The Marlins are not entertaining trade offers for Giancarlo Stanton, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports. In fact, Marlins president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest told Heyman he’d love to find a powerful bat to pair with Stanton in Miami’s lineup.

"We went someone to hit behind him, someone to offer more power," Beinfest told Heyman. "Giancarlo represents the power on our team."

Adding a power hitter appears to be the Marlins’ top priority. Stanton, the 23-year-old slugger who has surpassed the 30-homer mark in both of the past two seasons, won’t be traded. People with Marlins connections and rival executives agree he’ll return to Miami in 2013. But aside from Stanton, who’s still pre-arbitration eligible, there are lots of areas of need for the Marlins.

"It's not going to be easy," Beinfest acknowledged. "We're not going to put any expectations on it ... the reality is, we haven't played good for a couple years."

Valencia was just designated for assignment by the Red Sox last week. The 28-year-old was terrible at the major league level this past year, batting just .188/.199/.299 with a 38/3 K/BB ratio in 161 plate appearances, but the O's will likely give him a chance to win a job as a backup third baseman and right-handed bat off the bench.

Athletics acquired RHP Sandy Rosario from the Red Sox for a player to be named later or cash considerations.

Rosario never actually threw a pitch while property of the Red Sox, as he was claimed off waivers from the Marlins following the season. The 27-year-old right-hander made four appearances in the majors in 2012 and posted a 1.99 ERA and 24/2 K/BB ratio at the Triple-A level. The A's have added him to their 40-man roster.

The Red Sox's positional plan is starting to emerge, and it includes the trio of catcher/first baseman Mike Napoli and outfielders Nick Swisher and Cody Ross.

The Red Sox are in contact with all three players, and all are considered in play. The Red Sox seek a first baseman and two outfielders, and it appears this is their top triumvirate.

Napoli is also talking to the Mariners and Rangers, but one rival exec said he sees the Red Sox as the favorite. Napoli has been a natural from the start, with his 1.107 career OPS at Fenway Park.

Adam LaRoche is a logical second option for first base should Napoli go to the Mariners or stay with the Rangers. The higher-priced Josh Hamilton appears to be more of a fallback/long shot option at this point.

Swisher is thought to be drawing interest from the Giants, Braves, Mariners, Orioles, Phillies and others. Ross would be of interest to the very same teams as Swisher.

Boston likes the versatility that Napoli brings, and the same is true of Swisher, who could play first base on the occasions when Napoli catches. The Red Sox have been trying to re-sign Ross since the end of the season.

Napoli is likely to command a three- or four-year deal, Ross a two- or three-year deal and Swisher a four-year deal.

According to Jim Bowden of ESPN and SiriusXM, the Red Sox, White Sox and Angels are "playing on" Mike Adams.
And the Rangers are hoping to re-sign the talented setup man. Adams, 34, posted a 3.27 ERA in 52 1/3 innings this summer. He has a 2.28 career ERA and 1.06 career WHIP, and may be able to fetch a three-year contract.